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Functional foods: what is it?
The history of functional food comes from East Asia, where food was often used as a cure for specific ailments. The concept itself was introduced by the Japanese in the 1980s, defining such foods as FOSHU – food for specified health use. In Europe, functional food appeared in the mid-1990s, on the occasion of a special program of the European Commission, Functional Food Science in Europe (FUFOSE). In reality, however, the beginnings of therapy using food for medicinal purposes can be traced back to ancient times. Hippocrates also recommended a proper diet as a means of combating diseases.
The concept of functionality in the “fit” world can be encountered very often, although more often in terms of training than diet. However, it is worth bearing in mind that functional food was also created largely with physically active people in mind. It fulfills additional functions, beyond the basic one, which is the nutrition of the human body. It has a beneficial effect on both the psyche and the physicality of a person, providing an increase in vitality, and helping active people to maintain good shape.
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
It is well known that improper nutrition can lead to many types of diseases, so eating functional foods can help prevent chronic diseases, improve well-being (including mental well-being). It can also strengthen certain physiological functions.
When can we talk about functional foods?
What really deserves the name? Foods are considered functional when they have been shown to significantly affect one or more target functions in the body (beyond providing nutritional value) and thus affect health or reduce the risk of disease.
Can dietary supplements be considered functional foods? No. They are beneficial to health, but they are not considered functional foods. Additionally, the functional effects of a given food must first be confirmed by clinical studies conducted by independent research centers.
The basic criteria for the division of functional foods are their purpose and composition. For example, foods that reduce the risk of certain cancers, reduce the risk of circulatory diseases, reduce the risk of osteoporosis, for those who train, for those exposed to high stress, for the elderly, foods that affect mood, for runners, slow down the aging process, as well as foods for pregnant women, for infants and for young people in the phase of intensive growth.
And what about those who train? Physically active people who are aware of the importance of food for sports performance also reach for functional foods. These are mainly foods that are enriched with substances that increase immunity.
and body endurance, as well as containing a lot of protein for those who want to build their figure.
If you want to take care of your fitness and health, and the topic of functional food has intrigued you, be sure to follow the news in our store…
